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| M&S plans to close up to 14 stores | M&S plans to close up to 14 stores |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Marks and Spencer is planning to close 14 stores and cut hundreds of jobs. | Marks and Spencer is planning to close 14 stores and cut hundreds of jobs. |
| Six shops will close by April, including Birkenhead, Bournemouth and Durham. Staff have been offered jobs in nearby stores. | Six shops will close by April, including Birkenhead, Bournemouth and Durham. Staff have been offered jobs in nearby stores. |
| The closure of another eight shops has been proposed, which will affect 468 staff. | The closure of another eight shops has been proposed, which will affect 468 staff. |
| It follows a disappointing Christmas period for M&S, when sales of both food and clothing fell. | It follows a disappointing Christmas period for M&S, when sales of both food and clothing fell. |
| "Stores will always be an integral part of our customer experience, alongside M&S.com, but we have to ensure we have the right offer in the right locations," said Sacha Berendji, the retail operations director. | "Stores will always be an integral part of our customer experience, alongside M&S.com, but we have to ensure we have the right offer in the right locations," said Sacha Berendji, the retail operations director. |
| M&S food sales slide over Christmas | M&S food sales slide over Christmas |
| UK retail sales slide in tough December | UK retail sales slide in tough December |
| The six stores to close in April are Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Fforestfach in Swansea, Putney and Redditch. | The six stores to close in April are Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Fforestfach in Swansea, Putney and Redditch. |
| The eight stores earmarked for closure are: Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton outlet store, Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport. | The eight stores earmarked for closure are: Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton outlet store, Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport. |
| There will be a period of consultation over those shops. | There will be a period of consultation over those shops. |
| Mr Berendji said M&S would "endeavour" to offer all staff affected an alternative job but added that "in some cases we may have to consider redundancy". | Mr Berendji said M&S would "endeavour" to offer all staff affected an alternative job but added that "in some cases we may have to consider redundancy". |
| 'Vulnerable' stores | 'Vulnerable' stores |
| Retail analyst Steve Dresser tweeted: "It's never nice for people to lose their jobs, but a shake up is sorely needed at M&S." | Retail analyst Steve Dresser tweeted: "It's never nice for people to lose their jobs, but a shake up is sorely needed at M&S." |
| He said some stores had become unprofitable due to rising business rates and higher staff costs. | He said some stores had become unprofitable due to rising business rates and higher staff costs. |
| City centre food shops were vulnerable due to a lack of parking, which meant the average shop was lower, Mr Dresser said in a tweet. | City centre food shops were vulnerable due to a lack of parking, which meant the average shop was lower, Mr Dresser said in a tweet. |
| He added that click and collect, which has helped other retailers, was less popular with M&S customers who tended to be older and less keen on that option. | He added that click and collect, which has helped other retailers, was less popular with M&S customers who tended to be older and less keen on that option. |
| In November M&S said it would speed up plans to close 30 stores and Wednesday's announcement reflected that greater urgency. | In November M&S said it would speed up plans to close 30 stores and Wednesday's announcement reflected that greater urgency. |
| It also announced plans to open just 36 Simply Food shops over the next six months - far fewer than originally expected. | It also announced plans to open just 36 Simply Food shops over the next six months - far fewer than originally expected. |
| M&S has 1,025 stores in the UK: 302 clothing, home and food shops; 684 food-only stores; and 39 outlets. | M&S has 1,025 stores in the UK: 302 clothing, home and food shops; 684 food-only stores; and 39 outlets. |